Abstract

This thesis examines the production and development of chapbooks for children in Scotland during the period 1800-1870. By dividing these chapbooks into two categories, religious and instructive, it will be discovered what relationship these texts had to changing perceptions of childhood and the creation of children’s literature during the nineteenth century. Bearing in mind Douglas Gifford’s claim that nineteenth century Scottish literature was affected by a national identity crisis, aggravated by the failure of Scottish institutions including the church and the education system, this thesis will also explore the erosion of Scottish content and language from these chapbooks and will look at the relationship these books had with Scottish childhood and the creation of a Scottish literature for children.